Pereira takes aim at Ankalaev

Alex Pereira will look to make a fourth successful defence of his UFC light heavyweight championship when he faces Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the morning of Sunday 9 March 2025.

Pereira (12-2) has emphatically seen off challenges for his title from Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr in the past 11 months, establishing himself as an MMA icon and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

And the 37-year-old ‘Poatan’ (Stone Hands) is so confident of success that he has taken to ridiculing his opponent: “If [Ankalaev] doesn't back up what he says, people have already seen me making fun of my other opponents," Pereira said.

"Sometimes I joke and stuff, but this is the guy I'm really going to make fun of.”

Ankalaev (19-1-1, 1 NC) is unbeaten in his last 11 matches, most recently defeating Aleksandar Rakic by unanimous decision in October last year to earn this shot at the belt for the first time in his career.

The 32-year-old Russian had dialled up the war of words against Pereira, saying: “I’m gonna to eat your heart.”

Ankalaev has long felt that Pereira has been ducking him as one of the leading contenders for the light heavyweight strap.

“I promise all my friends I’m going to punish this guy, I will knock him out. Focus on MMA voodoo isn’t gonna help you, my son,” he added.

The rest of the main card features a lightweight co-main in which Justin Gaethje will take on Rafael Fiziev; Jalin Turner battles Ignacio Bahamondes and King Green takes on Mauricio Ruffy in two further fights from the lightweight division; and Amanda Lemos meets Iasmin Lucindo in the women’s strawweight division.

UFC 313 – Main card

- Main event: Light heavyweight championship: Alex Pereira v Magomed Ankalaev

- Lightweight: Justin Gaethje v Rafael Fiziev

- Lightweight: Jalin Turner v Ignacio Bahamondes

- Women’s strawweight: Amanda Lemos v Iasmin Lucindo

- Lightweight: King Green v Mauricio Ruffy